Tribunal denies deduction for planting and maintaining immature rubber plants.

The Tribunal dismissed the appeal filed by the assessee, upholding the decision of the CIT(A) to disallow the cost of planting and maintenance of immature rubber plants for the assessment year 2011-2012. The Tribunal ruled that the expenditure was not allowable as a deduction based on the nature of the expenses incurred. The decision was in line with the precedent set by the Hon'ble Kerala High Court in similar cases.

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Issues:
Disallowance of cost of planting and maintenance of immature rubber plants.

Analysis:
The appeal was filed against the CIT(A)'s order disallowing the cost of planting and maintenance of immature rubber plants for the assessment year 2011-2012. The assessee, a company engaged in rubber plantation, had claimed a deduction for this expenditure in the return of income. However, the Assessing Officer disallowed the claim, leading to an appeal to the CIT(A). The CIT(A) upheld the disallowance, citing the judgment of the Hon'ble Kerala High Court in a similar case.

Upon hearing both parties, the Tribunal noted that the expenditure in question was for the maintenance of immature rubber plants in replanted areas, not for infilling in yielding areas. The Tribunal referenced the judgment of the Hon'ble Kerala High Court in a related case and concluded that the expenditure could not be allowed as a deduction. Therefore, the Tribunal affirmed the CIT(A)'s decision, stating that no interference was warranted based on the legal precedent.

Ultimately, the appeal filed by the assessee was dismissed by the Tribunal, upholding the decision of the CIT(A) to disallow the cost of planting and maintenance of immature rubber plants. The judgment was delivered on September 6, 2018, by the Tribunal consisting of Shri Chandra Poojari, AM, and Shri George George K, JM.

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